Manager Rob Edwards spoke of his pride at securing the Hatters' first-ever Premier League win at Everton this afternoon - then dedicated the 2-1 victory at Goodison Park to Mark Ledsom, a lifelong Town fan and member of the club's media team who tragically passed away last week, aged 50.
"I’m very proud and really pleased," said the manager. "I want to dedicate this win to Mark Ledsom and his family. We lost him and it’s been difficult for a lot of people at the club, and of course his family, so I want to send our love and best wishes to them at this really difficult time.
"It’s times like this when you realise that football, of course is important, but nothing is more important than family and health, so I have to say that first and foremost.
"After that, I’m really proud of the players, really proud of our supporters today, our board and really pleased for them. But we’ve all got to recognise that it’s just three points, it’s just a win.
"I genuinely expected it today. I think we’ve been building the right way and it’s been coming, and now we go back home on Tuesday and we’ve got a really difficult game again and we’ve got to be ready for that."
The home club also paid tribute to our corporate communications manager Mark before the match, leaving a Luton Town scarf and an Everton shirt on an empty seat in the Goodison Press Box in his memory and then showing his picture on the big screen at half-time.
All at Kenilworth Road would like to thank Everton for their kindness at such a difficult time for Mark's family and many friends.
For Mark. 🧡
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) September 30, 2023
Thank you, @Everton 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Yb8EBoOsiP
On the rest of the game, Rob said: “The first goal was very important, and it goes to show that first goals are key and we know that. From set-pieces I thought we were a real threat, the staff have worked hard on the set-pieces, the hours they’ve put in and the staff deserve their credit today.
“Alfie’s delivery was spot on, and we attacked them well with crisp, clean finishes which was really pleasing. We had to weather a storm a bit at two-nil towards the end of the first half, it was important that we got in at the break just at two-one so we could adjust one or two bits.
“We had to make some forced changes in the second half, and I thought the boys that came on really got into the game. I thought we saw the game out really comfortably, a lot of balls were coming into the box but we defended them well.”